Overheard a neighbor call robins boring and it really got me thinking

I was at the hardware store last week and a guy was buying a feeder, telling his friend he only wants 'cool' birds like cardinals. He said robins are just brown and boring. But I watch a pair in my yard every spring in Portland, and they have this whole drama with worms and nest building. Last year I saw one fight off a squirrel for 45 minutes straight. Isn't the point to watch what they actually do, not just what color they are? What's a common bird in your yard that you've learned to appreciate more?

3 comments

3 Comments

parker2461mo ago

Totally, those scrappy mourning doves in my yard have some wild turf wars.

davidwright15d ago

Absolutely! I had the same thing with robins. They looked boring until I saw one fight a squirrel for a worm. They're way more bold than their cute look lets on.

robertanderson1mo ago

Ever think sparrows were just plain? I used to until I noticed one building a nest in my gutter. It made this whole messy thing out of twigs and trash, but it worked. Now I watch them chase off birds twice their size over the feeder. They're tough little guys. What changed your mind about a bird you used to ignore?